DURSLEY rugby legend and former England number eight Ben Morgan has announced his plans to retire from the game at the end of this season.
Morgan’s club Gloucester confirmed his decision, in addition to announcing a testimonial year for a player who joined them in 2012.
Nicknamed the ‘Dursley Bull’, Morgan grew up playing his trade at his local rugby club, Dursley RFC before starting his professional career in Wales with the Scarlets.
He later moved home to Kingsholm in 2012 and since then, the number eight has been ever-present in a Cherry & White shirt - making more than 180 Gloucester appearances.
Morgan won 31 England caps and was a member of the 2015 World Cup squad, playing in pool games against Fiji and Australia.
The 34-year-old has announced his plans to develop his business career with No.8 Scaffolding.
“It’s a huge honour to be awarded a testimonial year with Gloucester Rugby,” he said.
“Playing for my home club over the last 11 years has been a huge privilege and I’ll be retiring with memories that I’ll look back on with a great sense of pride.
“I move into my next chapter with great excitement, as I look to develop my business career with No.8 Scaffolding.
“I’m really looking forward to getting my testimonial year underway to make sure that we can raise as much money as we can for the 4Ed campaign and the Sam Polledri foundation.
“They’re both very close to us at Gloucester.
“We’ll be kicking off in style later this year with a 7s tournament at Kingsholm which I can’t wait to share with you all.
"It’ll be a great way to get all the Gloucester Rugby community together.”
Gloucester Rugby’s Chief Operating Officer Alex Brown applauded Ben’s service to the club.
“It’s a great honour for Ben to be celebrating his testimonial at his home-town side,” he said.
“He has given a tremendous amount to this club, and we’re delighted that we can celebrate this with him.
“He has committed the majority of his playing career to Gloucester Rugby and will hang up his boots knowing he leaves a lasting legacy in cherry and white.
“I know that he is very eager to leave his mark on the field, too, with plenty of the season remaining before he bows out.”
You can find out more about Ben’s events at benmorgantestimonial.co.uk and @morgantestimonial on Instagram.
For more information see - https://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/
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